The summer transfer window of 2023 will be remembered as the one when a new footballing machine powered onto the scene.
Backed by the riches of the Saudi Arabian state, it was the summer when Saudi Pro League (SPL) clubs signed a whole host of world class and Premier League stars.
More than £750million was spent as experienced and quality campaigners such as N’Golo Kante, Riyad Mahrez and Jordan Henderson headed to the Middle East.
But it was the likes of Ruben Neves, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Kalidou Koulibaly who were celebrating come the end of the season, as their Al-Hilal side romped to the SPL title.
For many that made the switch, it was a campaign of ups-and-downs, and in light of the SPL season concluding, Mail Sport takes a look at how the Premier League stars who left for Saudi Arabia got on, as we await another busy summer of speculation and major moves in the market.
Al-Hilal won their 19th Saudi Pro League title this season after an action-packed campaign
Several Premier League stars such as Aleksandar Mitrovic (above) moved to the SPL last year
They joined Al-Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo who remains the biggest star to play in the league
Riyad Mahrez, Club – Al-Ahli, Verdict – Hit
Riyad Mahrez’s decision to move to Saudi Arabia went viral after the release of the Amazon Prime documentary Married To The Game, which charted the lives of top flight WAGS.
Despite the slightly difficult personal nature of Mahrez’s move, he showed no signs of that affecting him on the pitch.
In truth, the Algerian was still more than good enough to make an impact at Treble-winning Manchester City last year, so he was unlikely to ever struggle in the Middle East.
But he certainly has starred, with Mahrez’s 11 goals and 14 assists in a mixed campaign for Al-Ahli proving that he is well worth the £30m fee.
Riyad Mahrez has been a class above in an otherwise mixed campaign for Al-Hilal this year
Roberto Firmino, Club – Al-Ahli, Verdict – Miss
Roberto Firmino was one of several stars to join Mahrez at Al-Ahli after saying an emotional goodbye to Liverpool.
However, things haven’t worked out as well for the Brazilian as after a stunning hat-trick on debut, he then endured a 16-game goal drought.
Things have picked up in the second half of the season, but Firmino has consistently been linked with a move away and while the forward has never been prolific, a return of just nine goals is disappointing given all that was expected of him.
However, things haven’t worked out as well for Liverpool legend Roberto Firmino at Al-Ahli
Edouard Mendy, Club – Al-Ahli, Verdict – Hit
Edouard Mendy has endured a tumultuous career as a goalkeeper.
From being unemployed for 12 months at the age of 22, the Senegalese stopper embarked on a remarkable journey that saw him win the Champions League with Chelsea and be crowned as the best keeper in the world in 2021.
Yet, Mendy soon found himself out-of-favour with the Blues and joined the exodus for Saudi Arabia last summer.
The 32-year-old has looked back to his best in the Middle East, keeping 15 clean sheets in 33 games, helping his side to qualify for the AFC Champions League.
Edouard Mendy has racked up an impressive 15 clean sheets in just 33 SPL games this season
Allan Saint-Maximin, Club – Al-Ahli, Verdict – Jury’s out
Many Newcastle fans were sad to see much-loved winger Allan Saint-Maximin leave last summer, with Eddie Howe begrudgingly accepting his departure due to FFP concerns.
But, the Frenchman has endured a mixed campaign in the SPL.
While he has scored four goals and added 10 assists, Saint-Maximin has been part of a relatively underwhelming Al-Ahli side and he recently apologised to a fan on social media after an embarrassing 2-1 defeat by Al-Riyadh.
There have been the traditional Saint-Maximin moments of magic, but he has not done enough consistently to make Newcastle regret moving him on.
Allan Saint-Maximin has endured some bright moments but has lacked consistency for Al-Ahli
Jordan Henderson, Club – Al-Ettifaq, Verdict – Miss
There are few players who have endured as disastrous a move as Jordan Henderson’s transfer from Liverpool to Al-Ettifaq last summer.
Not only did the midfielder significantly damage his reputation by heading to the Middle East, but he struggled on the pitch, and failed to settle off it.
Henderson joined Ajax in January, but things didn’t get much better, with reports he is yet to be paid for his time in Saudi Arabia, while he ended up missing out on England’s squad for Euro 2024 despite being one of Gareth Southgate’s most trusted lieutenants.
All in all, the 33-year-old will have significant regrets about swapping Liverpool for Saudi Arabia, and it’s unlikely Al-Ettifaq will look back too fondly on the move.
Jordan Henderson’s ill-fated six-month stint with Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq was a disaster
Demarai Gray, Club – Al-Ettifaq, Verdict – Miss
Joining Henderson at Al-Ettifaq from the other side of Merseyside last summer was Demarai Gray.
While the reported £8m fee paid to Everton was relatively low by SPL standards, a return of four goals and four assists did little to help Steven Gerrard’s side to a sixth place finish.
Coupled with two red cards, the former Leicester and Birmingham star has flattered to deceive in the Middle East.
Former Everton winger Demarai Gray has flattered to deceive since heading to the Middle East
Ruben Neves, Club – Al-Hilal, Verdict – Hit
Over five seasons in the Premier League with Wolves, Ruben Neves proved himself to be one of the best midfielders outside of the Big Six teams.
His move in the prime of his career was a different profile to many of the SPL signings and he has continued his impressive form in the Middle East.
Neves was almost ever-present for Al-Hilal in their title-winning season, developing a formidable partnership with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic in midfield and the 27-year-old contributed 12 assists across the campaign.
Ruben Neves proved to be one of the signings of the season after switching Wolves for Al-Hilal
Aleksandar Mitrovic, Club – Al-Hilal, Verdict – Hit
When his season goal tally was only beaten by Cristiano Ronaldo, it’s hard to argue that Aleksandar Mitrovic had anything other than a stunning season.
While Al-Hilal’s star player was expected to be Neymar, the Brazilian’s injury left a void which Mitrovic firmly filled with 39 goals in 42 appearances across competitions.
It means the Serbian has now netted 97 goals in 116 games across the past three seasons and he was crucial as Al-Hilal lifted a record-extending 19th title.
Mitrovic 39 goals in 42 appearances saw him firmly fill the void left by Neymar’s knee injury
Kalidou Koulibaly, Club – Al-Hilal, Verdict – Hit
It would be easy to miss the fact that Al-Hilal won the title following an incredible ‘Invincible’ campaign.
With 31 wins and three draws from 34 games, they cruised home 14 points clear of Al-Nassr.
While the midfield pairing of Neves and Milinkovic-Savic, coupled with Mitrovic’s goals were key, their watertight defence conceded just 23 all season.
That is a remarkable record and Koulibaly’s defensive partnership with Saudi star Ali Al-Bulayhi was crucial.
Kalidou Koulibaly’s partnership with Ali Al-Bulayhi was crucial as Al-Hilal won the league
N’Golo Kante, Club – Al-Ittihad, Verdict – Hit
After an injury-hit year with Chelsea, N’Golo Kante has returned to fitness and form out in Saudi Arabia.
He has shown signs of being back to his dominant best in midfield, racking up 44 appearances alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Co.
Given his form earned him a shock recall to the France squad for Euro 2024, two years after his last appearances for his country, it’s fair to call this move a success.
N’Golo Kante’s form for Al-Ittihad saw him earn a shock recall to France’s squad for Euro 2024
Fabinho, Club – Al-Ittihad, Verdict – Miss
Fabinho had shown signs that he was on the decline during his final season at Liverpool, but the Brazilian would’ve hoped his £40m move to Al-Nassr could rejuvenate his career.
However, he has struggled in Saudi, with Al-Ittihad enduring a difficult campaign as the reigning champions finished fifth.
Fabinho played just 19 times as he battled injury problems during his first season in the Middle East.
Fabinho played just 19 times as he battled injury problems during his first campaign at Al-Nassr
Sadio Mane, Club – Al-Nassr, Verdict – Hit
While the major attention at Al-Nassr is no doubt on Cristiano Ronaldo, the 39-year-old’s exploits have been supplemented by a team of talented stars.
One of these, Sadio Mane, headed to the Middle East after a difficult year at Bayern Munich and the Senegal star has regained form in the SPL.
19 goals and 11 assists in all competitions for the Liverpool legend is more than respectable and Mane helped Al-Nassr rack up 100 league goals during the 34-game SPL season.
At 32, he still has plenty to give and Mane has proven to be an astute pick-up.
Sadio Mane’s presence at Al-Nassr has been understated, but he has enjoyed a fine campaign
Alex Telles, Club – Al-Nassr, Verdict – Jury’s out
A lower profile former Man United star to ply his trade in the SPL, Alex Telles was reunited with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr.
It has been a solid debut season for Telles, as the Brazilian proved to be a good attacking outlet from left back.
However, Telles’ attacking instincts have seen him occasionally exposed at the back and the 42 goals Al-Nassr conceded was only the joint-fifth best record in the league despite their second place finish.
Former Man United star Alex Telles (left) was reunited with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr
Aymeric Laporte, Club – Al-Nassr, Verdict – Jury’s out
There was a time when Aymeric Laporte was Man City’s most important defender and the Spaniard has endured a curious journey over recent years.
That has continued in Saudi Arabia, where Laporte enjoyed plenty of highs, including a remarkable goal from inside his own half, alongside plenty of impressive performances.
However, there have also been lows, such as Laporte’s sending off for punching Al-Riyadh striker Mohammed Al-Aqel in the penultimate game of the season, which will see him miss Friday’s King’s Cup final against Al-Hilal.
Al-Nassr boss Luis Castro was fuming with the 30-year-old and said Laporte must ‘review himself’ after the incident.
Laporte also opened up in January about how ‘many (players) are discontented’ with life in the Middle East, while he has also been linked with a return to Europe this summer.
Aymeric Laporte has enjoyed a season of ups-and-downs since joining Ronaldo at Al-Nassr
And who will they target next?
Despite what many European teams may be hoping, the spending of SPL clubs shows no signs of slowing down.
Not only do the major teams seemingly have unlimited budgets, but a new rule from the start of next season will see clubs allowed to have 10 foreign players rather than eight in their squads.
Casemiro (left) and Ederson (right) are two names to be strongly linked with a move this year
The Brazilian trio of Casemiro, Ederson and Alisson have been strongly linked with a move, while there has also been reported interest in the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Bruno Fernandes and Mohamed Salah from SPL clubs.
Whatever happens, it is unlikely to be a quiet summer of transfer activity out in the Middle East.